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Turn aside his trouble; the strife too severe, Too long, too malignant, that settled on that people, Fierce-forcing persecution, night-frightfulness unequalled. [194‒1250] Beowulf and Grendel This Grendel feud became known at home To Hygelac’s warrior, brave among the Geats: Who at that hour of this earthly life Was master of manhood of all mankind, Great-framed, greatheart. He had himself prepared A sound sea-vessel, and said he would visit The strong king beyond the swan’s-way, 200 The illustrious prince desperate for men. From that expedition he was little dissuaded By friends and advisers, though to them he was dear; They urged the hero on, they augured him well. The good man had picked out from the people of the Geats Soldiers who were the eagerest among those he could find, And with a band of fourteen men collected He made for the boat, the warrior led the way, The sea-skilled man to the fringe of the beach. Not long after was the vessel on the waves, 210 The boat beneath the cliff. The men, alert, Leapt onto the prow; surf was swirling, Sand was stirring; soldiers took up Into the ship-hold glittering trappings, Splendid battle-arms; and the men cast off, Eager voyagers, in their tight-timbered boat. Off over the choppy sea, wind-whipped, The foam-throated thing went bobbing like a bird, Till after a space on the second day The winding prow of the ship had advanced 220 To where the seafarers had glimpse of land, Could see cliffs gleaming, sheer fall of bluffs, Ample promontories: they had crossed the sea, Their voyage was ended. They quickly then Climbed onto the shore, the men of the Weders, 6
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And moored the ship; mail-coats clashed, Trappings of battle. They gave thanks to God For the grace he had shown in their safe seagoing. But the Scyldings’ coastguard gazing from his rock, He whose duty was to watch the sea-cliffs, 230 Saw shining shields borne across the gangplank, Saw bared battle-gear; and his thoughts were pricked With desire to discover the strangers’ business. So he came to the shore, mounted on horseback, Hrothgar’s man, brandishing with force A formidable spear, and uttered these words: ‘What men would you be, here in your armour, Mail-coat-protected, in that tall ship Brought through the paths and acres of ocean Here, to our land? Long have I been 240 A watcher on these coasts, my vigil the sea, Lest any enemy with warship-convoy Should come to plunder the country of the Danes. Never more openly have shield-armed men Made harbour here, yet where is your permission, Pass of any kind from our commanders, Consent from the court? I never looked on A finer man living than one of you seems, He there in his armour: no mere retainer Tricked out with weapons, unless looks belie him, 250 Looks without equal. Now I must know Who you are, and from where, in case from this point You push forward into Denmark and are taken as spies As you move on inland. So now far-sailers From homes sea-hidden, bend your attentiveness To my plain request: promptly to tell me Where you have come from, in courtesy is best.’ The leader it was who gave him reply, The commander of the company, from his word-treasury: ‘We are men belonging to the nation of the Geats, 260 We are hearth-companions of Hygelac. Well-known was my father among the peoples, A princely battle-chief, Ecgtheow his name; Many many years he lived before he left us, 7

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Turn aside his trouble; the strife too severe, Too long, too malignant, that settled on that people, Fierce-forcing persecution, night-frightfulness unequalled.

[194‒1250] Beowulf and Grendel

This Grendel feud became known at home To Hygelac’s warrior, brave among the Geats: Who at that hour of this earthly life Was master of manhood of all mankind, Great-framed, greatheart. He had himself prepared A sound sea-vessel, and said he would visit The strong king beyond the swan’s-way,

200

The illustrious prince desperate for men. From that expedition he was little dissuaded By friends and advisers, though to them he was dear; They urged the hero on, they augured him well. The good man had picked out from the people of the Geats Soldiers who were the eagerest among those he could find, And with a band of fourteen men collected He made for the boat, the warrior led the way, The sea-skilled man to the fringe of the beach. Not long after was the vessel on the waves, 210 The boat beneath the cliff. The men, alert, Leapt onto the prow; surf was swirling, Sand was stirring; soldiers took up Into the ship-hold glittering trappings, Splendid battle-arms; and the men cast off, Eager voyagers, in their tight-timbered boat. Off over the choppy sea, wind-whipped, The foam-throated thing went bobbing like a bird, Till after a space on the second day The winding prow of the ship had advanced 220 To where the seafarers had glimpse of land, Could see cliffs gleaming, sheer fall of bluffs, Ample promontories: they had crossed the sea, Their voyage was ended. They quickly then Climbed onto the shore, the men of the Weders,

6

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